Consign Your Best Items with Lelands. We Also Pay Cash on the Spot! Learn More Here.
Historic 1950 Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles Game Ball - Cleveland's 1st NFL Game & Win - Mac Speedie Collection
<p> On Saturday night, September 16, 1950, the Cleveland Browns made their NFL debut against the two-time defending NFL champion Philadelphia Eagles in front of 71,237 fans at Philadelphia's Municipal Stadium. In what many historians consider one of the most significant games in NFL history, the Browns shocked the football world by easily defeating the Eagles 35-10, thereby ushering in a new era in NFL history. </p><p>Offered is a rare, and possibly unique, game ball commemorating that memorable Browns victory originating from the personal collection of Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame wide receiver Mac Speedie. The ball <span style="font-size: 10pt;">has been consigned directly by a member of Speedie's family and is one of twenty lots from the Mac Speedie Collection offered in this auction, all of which were just recently on public display at the National Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The white-leather Wilson official NFL football, which features the facsimile signature of league president Bert Bell, is lettered "Cleveland Browns 35 Philadelphia Eagles 10 1950" in black paint on a side panel. Several blue-ink signatures appear on the panel directly below, but unfortunately, all have faded beyond legibility. The ball is slightly deflated and displays heavy wear consistent with game use, including crazing, chips to the leather, and abrasions. It should be noted that this special white football was used by the NFL for night games and in film clips of the 1950 Browns vs. Eagles opening game (available on YouTube), one can easily see the use of the white ball under the lights. </span></p><p>The opening game between the Eagles and Browns in 1950 was a watershed moment in professional football because it gave legitimacy to the former All-America Football Conference (AAFC), and its four-time champion Cleveland Browns. The AAFC was in in existence from 1946 to 1949, but most sportswriters and fans considered its teams to be far inferior to NFL clubs. Even the league-champion Browns, led by coach Paul Brown, were considered on par with a minor league club, and certainly no match for the defending two-time NFL champion Philadelphia Eagles. NFL commissioner Bert Bell deliberately scheduled the game between the two league champions for week one, confident that the Eagles would easily defeat the "upstart" Browns, whose AAFC had the temerity to challenge the NFL's hegemony in the world of professional football. To Bell's chagrin, and that of many other NFL supporters, the Browns shocked the sports world with their dominating victory. That win proved, quite categorically, that their innovative style of football, devised and perfected by legendary coach Paul Brown, would soon change the game of football forever. </p><p>Mac Speedie was the offensive star of the game for the Browns in their historic win that night. Speedie led all receivers in both receptions (7) and yards (109), and his third quarter 13-yard touchdown reception gave the Browns a commanding 21-3 lead in the game. Of all the game balls kept by Speedie over the years, this one probably meant the most to him, especially given the lack of respect he and his fellow teammates received from fans, writers, and the Eagles players entering the game. </p><p>While Mac Speedie saved many important and unique game balls from his storied career, the National Football Hall of Fame felt that this was the most historically significant example in his collection. The Hall of Fame even expressed great interest in having the ball remain on extended loan, but a mutually agreeable arrangement could not be reached with our consignor. The Hall of Fame's loss, however, is one collector's gain, as this ball, for the first time ever, will now be made available for public sale. This is certainly one of the most important game-used footballs Lelands has ever handled and one that would be among the highlights of even the most advanced football collections.</p>
Past Sports Card, Memorabilia, Non-Sports Card and Collecitble Auction Items
Other past auction items that may be of interest to you.
Historic 1950 Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles Game Ball - Cleveland's 1st NFL Game & Win - Mac Speedie Collection
1946 AAFC Championship Game Ball - Browns vs. Yankees - Inaugural Season - Mac Speedie Collection
1950 NFL Championship Game Ball - Browns vs. Rams - Cleveland's 1st NFL Championship! - Mac Speedie Collection
1949 AAFC Championship Game Ball - Browns vs. 49ers - Last AAFC Game! - Mac Speedie Collection
1948 AAFC Championship Signed Game Ball - Browns vs. Bills - Mac Speedie Collection
1952 Opening Day Game Ball - Browns vs. Rams - Mac Speedie Collection
1947 AAFC Championship Commemorative Ball - Browns vs. Yankees - Mac Speedie Collection
